Fox' Friedman Fired Over Leaked Wolverine Review

Longtime Fox columnist, Roger Friedman, and the network "agreed to part ways immediately" following Friedman's posted review of the leaked X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie. Roger Friedman was a Fox correspondent for 10 years and their chief entertainment columnist. In his review, he admitted to having seen the workprint online and said it "exceeds expectations at every turn." Of course, the workprint is an illegal release which even the FBI is investigating.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Fast & Furious Overtakes Box Office

The full cast reunion of the 2001 The Fast and the Furious brought fans racing to theaters this weekend, with Fast & Furious bringing in a whopping $72 million for the box office win. Just after it came Dreamworks' Monsters vs. Aliens, followed by A Haunting in Connecticut and the sci-fi thriller, Knowing (with comic book geek, Nicolas Cage). Paul Rudd's "bromance" comedy, I Love You, Man rounded out the top five.

Fast & Furious proved the best April opening ever, as well as the best opening of 2009 so far. Weirdly, 2003's Anger Management held the record previously. And that movie basically sucked... like all Adam Sandler movies. Yet they're nearly all #1 hits, so maybe it's only weird to me?

Watchmen is still in the top 20, appearing at #13 after five weeks in release. It isn't right to say it bombed, but I did hear someone blew their brains out at a screening.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

War of Kings #2 - Second-Printing Variant

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Sci-Fi Casts New Series

Smallville fans will be happy to know Supergirl (Laura Vandervoort) will be appearing in the new Sci-Fi series, Riverworld, also starring Battlestar Galactica heavy, Tahmoh Penikett. Sci-Fi cast Riverworld, along with The Phantom (Desperate Housewives' Ryan Carnes) - two movies they plan to try and spin into ongoing series.

Sci-Fi has had mixed results with its series, including notable failures such as Flash Gordon and successes like Eureka. Battlestar Galactica deserves special mention for straddling the bridge.

Vandervoort appeared as Clark Kent's Kryptonian cousin for only a handful of episodes on Smallville. For whatever reason, producers did not feel the character made a good fit and the storyline was dropped.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

The Rundown on The Rundown

Here's what it is, guys: I am running on the edge. Not like in that exciting, interesting, "Cyberpunk" sort of way, but in that I can't get enough sleep until I'm wired on caffeine and then I can't focus because I have at least 230909738-thousand things which all need to be done right now kind of way.

We're moving - have to be out by May 1^st - and I haven't even seen the place yet. As far as things go, we're set; there's little else available in our price range (that we know of right off-hand), this is where we want to be (or, at least, away from where we don't want to be - Decatur County, TN), and it's available for us to move into immediately. Absolutely nothing is packed yet, but most of what we have is books anyway - it's not like we're going to box-up books to move them 15-20 miles away and unbox them. To say it's "stressful" is an understatement.

Most everything has been turned off, so I'm working on dial-up without satellite TV. I have a single TV channel - and it's frigging ABC. I don't even bother getting interested in anything I'm watching - it may get canceled before it's even over! I don't know what to do with my mail yet; if I forward it too soon, I might miss something I need and if I don't get the order in soon enough, I might not get all my mail. This whole thing got screwed-up by a "lost" piece of mail that was delivered over a week late, so I don't even want to go down that road right now.

I have yet to file my taxes because of a late W-2 - it came in like the second week of March! - and now there's everything else going on (we were supposed to be moving in June, not May - thanks, Decatur County, TN post office!), so I'm having to borrow against what I expect, which is going to cost me in the long run, but what else can I do?

Needless to say, this has been a very stressful few weeks and it isn't getting any easier quickly. Just bear with me. If we can just get through these next two weeks, things should start easing up (he said hopefully). And even though the first week or two will be difficult, May should be a lot better. Once we get settled, this may well be a good summer! God willing. Speaking of whom, He should know how badly I could use one or two, so maybe He's feeling generous.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Marvel Comics Shipping 04-08-09

Here's your weekly Rundown of Marvel Comics shipping this Wednesday, April 8^th, 2009:

Comics On-Sale:
AGENTS OF ATLAS #2 BACHALO 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (DR)
ALL-NEW SAVAGE SHE-HULK #1 (DR)
ANITA BLAKE, THE LAUGHING CORPSE - NECROMANCER #1
ANITA BLAKE, THE LAUGHING CORPSE - NECROMANCER #1 WOLVERINE VS ANITA BLAKE VARIANT
BLACK PANTHER #2 LASHLEY 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (DR)
CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 #12
CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 #12 WOLVERINE ART VARIANT
DAREDEVIL NOIR #1
DAREDEVIL NOIR #1 CALERO VARIANT
DARK REIGN: HAWKEYE #1 (DR)
DARK TOWER: GUIDE TO GILEAD
DEADPOOL: SUICIDE KINGS #1
EXILES #1
EXILES #1 WOLVERINE ART VARIANT
MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #50
MARVEL APES: AMAZING SPIDER-MONKEY SPECIAL
MARVEL ZOMBIES 4 #1
MARVEL ZOMBIES 4 #1 SUYDAM VARIANT
NEW AVENGERS: THE REUNION #1 LOPEZ 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (DR)
PUNISHER: FRANK CASTLE MAX #69
SECRET WARRIORS #2 CASELLI 2ND PRINTING VARIANT (DR)
SOLEIL: YTHAQ - NO ESCAPE #1
SOLEIL: YTHAQ - NO ESCAPE #1 VARIANT
THE ODYSSEY #8
THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ #5
TIMESTORM 2009/2099 #1
ULTIMATE WOLVERINE VS. HULK #4
WAR OF KINGS: ASCENSION #1
WAR OF KINGS: ASCENSION #1 PELLETIER VARIANT
WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #1
WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #1 COIPEL VARIANT
WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #1 DAVIS VARIANT
WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #1 KUBERT (50/50 COVER)
WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #1 KUBERT SKETCH VARIANT

Collections On-Sale:
IRON MAN: LEGACY OF DOOM TPB
MARVEL ZOMBIES 2 TPB
MARVEL ZOMBIES 3 HC
MOBY DICK GN
UNCANNY X-MEN: MANIFEST DESTINY HC
WOLVERINE: DANGEROUS GAMES TPB
WOLVERINE: LOGAN TPB

*DR = Dark Reign tie-in

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

What Up, Yo?

What's happening, guys? I'm around and will be on here in a little while, I've just been taking it easy over the weekend. I needed a short break, anyway. Not much is going on, I just figured I'd blather at ya. I want to discuss the Jay Leno WHDH situation, for one thing, and drafted a long discourse on it the other night before deciding to hang onto it and mess with it later.

Don't forget, I'm also on dial-up, so that's a challenge. But not an insurmountable one.

See you shortly.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

ER Proves Biggest Finale in 13 Years

Thursday night's ER series finale played to an estimated 16.2 million viewers. The last time a (drama) series finale drew numbers like that was 1996; Murder, She Wrote's finale landed 16.5 million viewers 13 years ago.

ER was a heavyweight primetime draw in the 1990s, but the numbers continued to fall in its later years. ER filled NBC's 9:00 Thursday night timeslot for a whopping 15 years! And man, those first several years are some great TV! In fact, the one mainstay in my life in the late 1990s (think '98-99) was the two episode block on TNT after I got home from my grueling 12-hour computer tech job. I never missed that for the entire time I worked as the inconsiderate jerk on the other end of the line who thinks he knows everything... good times, good times. Sadly, ER was never the same following Anthony Edwards' departure, and everyone pretty much knew it. Still, it trudged through the routine until what was once the most popular TV drama in America was drawing fewer than 8 million viewers an episode.

The late Michael Crichton - better known for such fare as Jurassic Park - created the show. Comedies tend to draw larger finale numbers, with Seinfeld's finale drawing a whopping 76 million eyeballs. Long-running dramas are dwindling on the airwaves as their popularity wanes, though enterprising producers are looking to extend their lives beyond their heydays. Technological and commercial advancements, such as DVD and the Web, have forever changed television, and ER may well have been the last, great primetime drama of its kind.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Star Trek Rated PG-13

The new Star Trek motion picture has received its MPAA rating: PG-13.

PG-13 has become this magical rating all producers vie for: it means they can be just violent enough to bring in the older guys, just sexy enough to get the younger guys and girls, and not too much of anything so that kids can't get in without their parents. It's also that "magical" rating that all but guarantees mediocrity in most cases.

The latest Die Hard sequel - which was actually very good - achieved the magical PG-13 once the producers set beleaguered assistants to work digitally removing all the blood and blood spatters! True story. I would love to see that movie with all the gore; I truly wonder if it would be the kind of difference you would immediately notice, the kind of difference you would notice but not necessarily be able to put your finger on, or if it would make a difference at all. It was a good movie, either way, but since I heard that, I haven't been able to get it out of my head; I really want to see that flick the way it was intended, just so I know.

Since we know the Star Trek sequel is already underway, I could have predicted this one a mile back, but I would have said "PG-13" even if the sequel had yet to be announced.

By the way, the image is one from three just released (I will share the others throughout the weekend - they take literally 5-6 minutes to upload on dial-up!!!)! The Rundown is an official Star Trek blog; check back here often for all the news you need to know about Star Trek!


© C Harris Lynn, 2009

LOOK OUT!

Marvel is now streaming the classic 1967 Spider-Man cartoon on their site. Every Thursday, a "new" episode will be posted, starting with the very first one, available now!


© C Harris Lynn, 2009

CBS Turns Out Guiding Light

I'm sure you've heard the news now that CBS is canceling Guiding Light and I wanted to mention it briefly for several reasons. The Rundown is no soap opera fan - I never even got into Battlestar Galactica, which I'm pretty sure is a space opera (I certainly consider it so; I say "pretty sure" only because I didn't watch it, so I'm not sure if it is generally accepted as such) - but I have nothing against them. When you get right down to it, comic books and pro wrestling are basically soap operas for guys, so I think it's just part of the human condition to crave such serialized drama. At least in America. And Guiding Light was around right from the very start.

When it bows this September, Guiding Light will be 72 years old.

It began as a radio show in 1937. Literally 15-minute advertisements for soap, radio programs like Guiding Light became known as soap operas and they were always aimed squarely at housewives - a once profitable target audience which no longer exists (some 60+% of women, aged 20+ are now in the workforce). For the entirety of TV history, soap operas have been a mainstay... until very recently.

As the years went on, soaps became racier and racier, and though they were never considered anything more than "mindless daytime entertainment," they never aspired to anything else. As one blogger put it, "Soap operas were the closest thing to porn you could get in my day..." and every, last one of us had at least a passing experience with one or more of them throughout our lives. Mine was Days of Our Lives during the Bo and Hope era (the first one). A friend of my mom's got her watching it and when we were home for the summer, both families would get together at least once a week to watch an episode (the "big reveal" episode - or what always promised to be, regardless of how much was actually revealed).

It is somewhat incredible to stop and think that kids being born right now might never know of soap operas. Several of the earlier TV episodes have been lost to antiquity and I can't imagine any of the truly long-lived series will ever see a complete collection in any form, though services such as Hulu may pick one or more up - in fact, a spokesperson said they were looking for another possible venue. And while those kids may not be missing much, it is certainly an historic thing to watch the passing of one of TV's oldest and most venerable shows.

CBS executives said they struggled with the decision, but finally gave it the ax. The final episode of Guiding Light will air September 18^th.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Project Runway Catwalks to Lifetime

NBCU and The Weinstein Co. have finally settled their lawsuit regarding Project Runway: starting this summer, the Emmy-winning reality show has a new home at Lifetime. Lifetime will also play host to the companion series, Models of the Runway.

I've seen several seasons of Project Runway (I'm certainly no fashion maven, but it is a fun show and some of those people are incredibly talented) and I always wondered about the model thing. Each episode, the designers choose from the pool of pu... models and whichever one doesn't get chosen gets "Auf Wiedersehen"-ed. But I have never seen the show and have no idea where, if anywhere, it has ever been shown. However, Models of the Runway most definitely will be appearing on the Lifetime Network from here out, along with its sister show - and it's apparently "new." ??? I know they have been eliminating models ever since Project Runway started, so if the show focusing on the models ever ran anywhere (even online), I have never seen it nor ever heard anyone discuss it.

The Lifetime contract is for five more seasons of Project Runway. I do not know if Lifetime will show reruns or if they will continue on Bravo.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Cloak & Dagger, Rick Leonardi, and Comics' Last Great Age

Okay, for those just joining, this is the conversation: Rick Leonardi is a fantastic artist too few know of or discuss and he drew a series too few remember called Cloak & Dagger - both are among my favorite things in all of comics; Cloak and Dagger are now part of a team called "Dark X-Men."

And let me say this about that: they are a perfect fit as "dark" X-Men. Tandy Bowen and Tyrone Someone (I can't remember it, my Cloak & Dagger comics are in the bottom of the bedroom closet, and the Marvel Universe hasn't listed the article yet) were runaways who were kidnapped and experimented on by drug-dealers who were looking to street a new addictive substance. The experiments mutated them into Cloak & Dagger. Their powers work together in a symbiotic sense, in that Cloak "feeds" on "light" (as in the good and positive in people) and Tandy is the embodiment of such; Dagger feeds Cloak, which keeps the Darkness from consuming him totally. Their backstory and characters make them excellent candidates because it all fits perfectly with the X-Men and the whole "Dark" nonsense.

But what I wanted to discuss was Leonardi's work and why I feel it was so good: the quality of the printing in comics then.

Let me go on record as saying if anyone out there wants to do it, I am 100% for purchasing some of the older printing presses comics used to be manufactured on and making a go of it; these new "magazine-style" comic books (called "slicks" throughout the writing/magazine industry specifically in reference to their appearance) are at least some-odd percentage to fault for the lack of excitement and fun in the field today. The quality of the paper is simply too much for comic books and no one working in the field has discovered a method which capitalizes on it yet. Rick Veitch's work looks fantastic on slick paper, but (IMO) pretty shitty under the old process; no one else's work looks good under the new process - no one's.

Some pop-artist did a series of well-known paintings based on comic books back in the 80s. His expression dealt with romantic themes, not superheroes, and the entire point of the series was the Pointilist effect comic books used to have because they used toner for color and shading. The absence of superheroes was far from the only aspect which made the point, and that fact was hardly even noticeable; the point was the dots (toner) and the line styling. Further, it was testament to his observation that the process changed only a few years later. I should find out who the artist was and highlight the series, because it was extremely important in bringing comic books into mainstream Art conversations. My lack of direct knowledge and digressions renders this point moot, but let's just say that, when a fine artist decided to highlight comic book art as a style within the Fine Arts, his expression was specific in its focus on word balloons, solid line art, and toner coloring.

Comic books are now colored by computer and the process really is more mechanical than is necessary, leaving a lot to be desired. While the coloring is far more realistic and some truly incredible efforts have been achieved, by and large, it has been to the detriment of the form. Working with toner is a real pain in the ass, but it is so worth it when it's done well! Now more than ever, the use of toner is an artistic decision playing into the artist's style, and too few use it anymore (myself included, though I've never used it).

My personal take on this is that too many artists overdraw. This is all Image's fault - the whole thing - right down the line! They moved to computerized processes and slick paper because they wanted to be able to render in more "detail" (read: crosshatch the shit out of everything on the page). But it doesn't have to be such a wreck; too many artists in the field start out as fans and they're all going by what their favorites did before them.

The key to working on slick paper is less line art, not more; leave the details to the colorists. Not only can computers render them better, they will also achieve the photo-realism so many are going for. The cover for War of Kings #2 is a good example (included). Cover artist Brandon Peterson used solid lines and left the detailing to the colors; no crosshatching or other line-art shading techniques were used (though he may have used wash). The result is a phenomenal piece of cover art, though I've no idea if that level of quality could be achieved throughout an entire book - certainly not a monthly (not on a regular basis, I'm saying). Still, that is what we should be striving for when working on slick paper.

Leonardi is a master, period. That's why he's so often a fill-in artist; he can do what needs to be done and get it done on time. However, his work literally OWNED back on the lesser-quality paper - as did many of his contemporaries'. I'm sure some of it has to do with the fact that not only were they comfortable with the paper quality and printing process, but had learned from peers who were, too. The next generation of comic book artists are going to be ten times better than we are today for the same reason: they'll have our work to go by.

So: Cloak & Dagger are a great fit for a Dark X-Men team, but no one will ever be able to render them like Rick Leonardi (who is an occasional fill-in on Uncanny - or was) and slick paper sucks for comics.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Late-Night Runs

Ew!

Sorry. I apologize for that; that was completely uncalled for. I could have entitled this post any number of things which mean the same, but I had to go for the lowbrow, the jejune - just so I could make a poop joke. I sincerely hope it was worth it.

Anyhoo, I was just stopping by to let you know that I will be on late-night patrol at least tonight and prolly the next few nights. Someone mentioned the time change yesterday and I had not considered that, but whatever is to blame, I have simply not been able to get up and get going these last few days. I've had to do some things here and there and definitely have things weighing on my mind, so I've gone through all the possibilities, but whatever it is (or a conflagration of things), I'm simply spinning tires while the sun is out lately.

This dial-up shit isn't helping matters even a little.

At any rate, I have to run somewhere for a few and once I return, I'll either get started or things will get rolling later tonight. My fellow nite-owls will have fun, and you early-birds will have plenty to keep you busy tomorrow, so it works out either way.

I still have to file taxes, too.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

The Dark X-Men

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Some Technical Changes

I am still in the process of contacting everyone, but I need to let some of you know that the e-mails have changed. If you have a contact e-mail ending with TDS.net, please note that e-mail is no longer valid.

All press releases, and press-related errata, should be sent to PRESS at theweirding.net
All material relating to the blogs should be sent to BLOGS at theweirding.net
All materials relating to advertising or advertisers should be sent to ADS at theweirding.net

Of course, replace the word "at" with the "@" symbol; I do not want the addresses receiving anymore spam than they all have been! I am currently using dial-up from the house and e-mail already takes 10-20 minutes to download!

I mentioned the situation elsewhere, but to recap, my internet provider for three years overcharged me nearly $100 on my last bill. Though they freely admit they are at fault, they insisted I pay the overcharged amount and wait for a credit on my next bill! Needless to say, I was somewhat offended. I don't have $114.00 to pay them, anyway.

Thanks.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter TV Movie Coming to IFC

The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is adapting Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter to its first, full-length, theatrical feature which will air on the network. The popular novel series, which spawned an equally popular line of graphic novels under Marvel, by Laurell K. Hamilton will be adapted through a joint-venture with Lionsgate. If the TV movie is successful, more may follow. While no stars have been announced, Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter will air in 2010.

Glen Morgan, who has worked on X-Files and Final Destination, serves as executive producer, along with Courtney Solomon. The Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter movie is being tauted as a cross between True Blood and Buffy the Vampire Slayer and is being aimed at men, 18-34.

You can expect it to contain a suitable amount of just-this-side-of porn, as many detractors of the series claim it does. I have not read any of the Anita Blake books.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

DOH! The Stamp o' the Simpsons

The USPS announced a series of Simpsons stamps to be released this year (2009). The series will feature all members of the family as rendered by creator and executive producer, Matt Groening. A sneak-peek at the line will be revealed April 9^th.

At 20 years old, The Simpsons is the longest-running primetime TV show still on the air. It will soon air its 500^th episode, making The Simpsons the longest-running TV show in history.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Princess Diana, Condoleezza Rice Coming to Bluewater's Female Force

Bluewater Productions is proud to announce that Princess Diana and Condoleezza Rice will be the subjects of the newest additions to the Female Force biographical comic book series. The Female Force books feature some of the most influential women of our time.

Female Force: Princess Diana, written by Chris Arrant, takes a close look at the admirable British icon who won hearts around the world as a princess, public figure, philanthropist, and parent. The book will be available in July.

Female Force: Condoleezza Rice, written by Christopher Ward & Nick Lyons, chronicles Rice's life from childhood to her accomplished career as the first black woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State. Due in stores in August, this issue documents how Rice became one of the most powerful women of the past decade.

Female Force cover artist, Vinnie Tartamella, did both covers.

The Female Force series was recently featured on Live with Regis and Kelly, CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News, and in People magazine, as well as the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, and thousands of other media outlets. Of course, you read about here to The Rundown, where you can always find out what's going on with Bluewater Productions.

Diamond Comic Distributors reports advance sales for the monthly series’ next installment, featuring Michelle Obama, have already made the book its top-selling independent comic for April. Overwhelming demand for the Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin books has prompted multiple printings.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Wolverine Workprint All Over the Web

A "workprint" (unfinished footage, edited together in the general sequence it will appear in the final release) of the summer blockbuster with Hugh Jackman, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, has been released all over the Web. Since the incomplete movie hit the Web, over 75,000 copies have been downloaded and redistributed. The film was set for release May 1^st.

The 20^th-Century Fox movie opens with a Rising Sun Visuals title card, but bears neither timecodes nor watermarks from any controlling studio. Green screens and wires attached to the actors are visible in the X-Men Origins: Wolverine workprint release that can be found and downloaded online. Reviewers note the movie "looks awful" without the special effects, and the general consensus is that "...you're still going to have to go see it in the theater to fully experience the full movie." Rising Sun is a visual effects company from Australia which is also involved in the Terminator: Salvation movie. Who released the workprint, or how it was done, is unknown.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine was set to be a summer blockbuster contending with others, such as the aforementioned Terminator, as well as the Star Trek, relaunch. There is no word as to whether or not this Web-release will affect any of the plans, however both Terminator and Star Trek have already started work on sequels.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Thunderbolts #130 - Second-Printing Variant

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

RIP Andy Hallett

33-year old Andy Hallett, best known for his role as demon, Lorne, on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer spin-off, Angel, died from congestive heart disease yesterday. He had been fighting the disease for several years.

Hallett moved to Los Angeles at 23 and worked as a messenger before landing the job as Joss Whedon's wife's assistant. When the role for demon, Lorne, came up on Angel, he was encouraged to try-out. After landing the gig, Hallett remained on the show throughout its five-year tenure on the WB.

His father was with him when he died and said Andy Hallett was "a very gregarious, happy young man." He had stopped acting and was focused on music, but had been in and out of hospitals for several years with congestive heart disease. Actor Glenn Quinn, who appeared on early seasons of the TV show, died of a drug overdose shortly after he left Angel.

Our condolences to Andy Hallett's friends and family.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009